Why do no audio enthusiasts use McIntosh?

Mcintosh started in 1949. It is one of the most successful high end brands. It is the Rolex of high end audio - respected for aesthetics, functionality and reliability. Like Rolex - built like a tank and being highly desirable holds value better than any other brand. Mcintosh is not the last word in resolution but perhaps the most respected high end musical (enjoyable) electronics you can buy.

Mcintosh even use output transformers on their SS amps - this is for crafting the sound. The sound crafted by Mcintosh is not the last word in transparency but a lush sound that many experts swear by.

The B&W Diamond is known to be revealing, so that may be why someone might recommend using the softer Mac with the B&W.  I always enjoyed the Mac gear, but only had the mc275 for a while, and although I liked it I found something I enjoyed a little more in that set up.

BTW, there is a fair amount of Ohm Walsh fans here. Look up their thread and I bet they would love to talk Ohm Walsh, and may be able to help with an amp.

PS.  I better stick with my sweet spot speakers as nobody needs to see me dance. :}

" I must say it was rather off putting. Is it really impossible to expect VERY nice speakers for around five-thousand a pair? Wow!..."

B&W 805 Diamond-3 speakers list for $6K. I had 805D2s for a while. Very detailed, but the tweeters are also very fragile and expensive to replace. I sold the 805s very shortly after I started dating a woman who had a cat, and replaced them with a pair of "feline friendly" Pioneer SP-BS22-LRs. :-)

Many audiophiles jump on mac as its way cool!!

Every body’s amp is the best in the world. A Mark Levinson amp owner will claim that this amp is the best sounding amp in the world, same for an Audio Research amp owner, Bryston’s amp owner, Krell’s amp owner, Ayre’s Amp owner, CJ’s amp owner, McIntosh’s amp owner, Pass Labs’ amp owner, Classe, Rotel, PS Audio, etc. at the end of the day all do the same if they have good specs and good electronics.